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“Usually, yes,” answered Remsen.
“Of course, there are boys, and men too, for
that matter, who are incapable of occupying their minds
with two distinct interests. That kind should
leave athletics alone. And there are others who
are naturally—­I guess I mean-unnaturally—­stupid,
and who, should they attempt to sandwich football or
baseball into their school life, would simply make
a mess of both study and recreation. But they
need not enter into the question of the harm or benefit
of athletics, since at every well-conducted school
or college those boys are not allowed to take up with
athletics. Yes, generally speaking, the boy who
comes to school to study can afford to play football,
train for football, and think football, because instead
of interfering with his studies it really helps him
with them. It makes him healthy, strong, wide-awake,
self-reliant, and clearheaded. Some time I shall
be glad to show you a whole stack of careful statistics
which prove that football men, at least, rather than
being backward with studies, are nearly always above
the average in class standing. March, you’re
a hard-worked football enthusiast, and I understand
that you’re keeping well up with your lessons.
Do you have trouble to attend to both? Do you
have to skimp your studies? I know you give full
attention to the pigskin.”

“I’m hard put some days to find time for
everything,” answered Joel, “but I always
manage to make it somehow, and I have all the sleep
I want or need. Perhaps if I gave up football
I might get higher marks in recitations, but I’d
not feel so well, and it’s possible that I’d
only get lower marks. I agree with you, Mr. Remsen,
that athletics, or at least football, is far more
likely to benefit a chap than to hurt him, because
a fellow can’t study well unless he is in good
health and spirits.”

“I don’t believe I am, quite. But
you know more about such things than I do. In
fact, it’s cheeky for me to argue about them.
Why, I’ve never played anything but tennis,
and never did even that well.”

“You know the ground you argue from, and because
I have overwhelmed you with talk it does not necessarily
follow that I am right,” responded his host
courteously. “But enough of such dull themes.
There’s West most asleep.—­March,
have you heard from your mother lately?”

“Yes, I received a letter from her yesterday
morning. She writes that she’s glad the
relationship is settled finally; says she’s certain
that any kin of the Maine Remsens is a person of good,
strong moral character.” When the laugh
had subsided, Remsen turned to West.